Summary
Biomarkers in the patient with chest pain: past, present, and future
Rubini M, López B, Rubini S, Mueller C
Affiliation of the authors
Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Univeristario de Basilea, Basilea, Swiss. Área de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, Spain.
DOI
Quote
Rubini M, López B, Rubini S, Mueller C. Biomarkers in the patient with chest pain: past, present, and future. Emergencias. 2014;26:221-6
Summary
Biochemical markers have greatly advanced the management of patients with chest pain
in recent years. The measurement of cardiac troponins has provided an essential tool for
the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction since the 1990s, and the introduction of tests
for highly sensitive troponins represents a significant recent advance. This brief review of
testing for highly sensitive troponins in comparison with conventional troponins
discusses their value in emergency departments and their limitations. Other recently
introduced biomarkers, such as copeptin, are also considered for their possible use in
emergency care. Finally, we describe improvements that can be expected with respect to
biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome.